PS5 restocks could finally improve soon as Sony promises big production boost

Despite everything, it’s still pretty darn hard to get a PS5. Time, promises and restocks haven’t really helped the situation, and picking one up is still as difficult as ever. But there’s some hop on the horizon, with Sony promising to ramp up production to levels “never achieved before”.

In a briefing with investors (opens in new tab), Sony confirmed that one of its top priorities is getting ahead of PS5 demand — which means increasing production of new consoles. Sony also says that it expects to close the gap between PS4 and PS5 sales, after the latest console lagged behind the elder generation in 2021.

Sony has blamed the PS5 shortage on supply chain issues, a problem that was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The inability to get hold of chips and other components meant the company was limited in how many consoles it could physically produce.

But with supply chain issues easing up, Sony hopes that this will translate to increased PS5 production. However, the company does have some concerns about the impact the Russian invasion of Ukraine might have on part availability. But to mitigate potential problems, Sony looks to be diversifying its supplier base “for greater agility in unstable market conditions”.

Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Jim Ryan believes that PS5 sales will be able to overtake the PS4 next year. He also confirmed that there are plans to heavily increase console production to new highs after the initial ramp-up. In short, buying a PS5 could be about to get even easier as Sony floods the market with consoles.

And good thing, too, because the demand is insane. While it is slightly easier to grab a console in a PS5 restock, it still requires people to follow various trackers and be ready to buy as soon as stock appears. 

Sony has the figures to back up that demand too, claiming that it takes just 82 minutes to sell 80,000 PS5 consoles. Meanwhile, it takes nine days to sell the same number of PS4s. 

I have to wonder why so many people are still buying the PS4 in such great quantities. But I suppose when demand for the PS5 is that high, the old-generation console is a better option than nothing at all — especially considering the lack of true PS5 exclusives.

Here’s just hoping we’re on the verge of a tipping point, and PS5 availability will go through the roof. Then again, considering how many times console-makers have promised to get a handle on demand, to little success, I know I won’t believe it until it happens.